Cycle Tours 7 to 10 Days

Bike The South

Queenstown Cycle Trail & Otago Rail Trail

Your tour starts at Lake Hayes and spends 2 day on the Queenstown Cycle Trail under the soaring heights of the Remarkables mountain range and framed by the meandering coves of Lake Wakatipu.

Queenstown is a right show-off and you will experience it all.

The surrounding Central Otago region is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, and we cycle the Roxburgh Cycle Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail followed by 2 days in the spectacular and tranquil Wanaka region riding the cycle trails alongside the mighty Clutha River and Lakes Wanaka and Hawea.

Your tour then continues on the world famous Otago Rail Trail. Trains typically travel through hills, around hills but (if it can be avoided) not uphill (the maximum gradient is 2%).

The Rail Trail runs for 150kms between Clyde and Middlemarch (close to Dunedin), passing through the towns of Clyde, Alexandra, Chatto Creek, Omakau, Lauder, Oturehua, Wedderburn, Ranfurly, Waipiata and Hyde.

Book now for Next Season!

2018 / 2019

We can build a tour especially for your group, please enquire for dates available.

Nicky

Hamish

Itinerary & Map

Cycle Tours 7 to 10 Days

Bike The South

Queenstown Cycle Trail & Otago Rail Trail

Day 1 - Queenstown & Lake Hayes - 48km

We travel a short distance to Lake Hayes where your guide will fit you out with your bike. The first ride is an easy 8km circumnavigation of the lake.

From here we commence, a lovely easy grade cycle trail from Lake Hayes to the Shotover River past Queenstown Airport to Frankton. We then sidle beneath the willow trees alongside the Frankton Arm on The Kelvin Peninsula of Lake Wakatipu 24km.
Here we take in the views of the peaks surrounding Lake Wakatipu - the Remarkable Ranges, Cecil & Walter Peaks as well as Ben Lomond - which are stunning and provide a wonderful backdrop to this ride.

Click To Enlarge

On reaching the end of the Kelvin Peninsula we can either ride into Queenstown or travel in the support vehicle. (16km). We will have time to wander around Queenstown before departing to our accommodation in Arrowtown.

Day 2 - Arrowtown to Gibbston - 24km
Clyde to Alexandra - 14km

Today we cycle from our accommodation along the Arrow River. Cross over two very impressive suspension bridges and over the historic Kawarau Bridge to the AJ Hackett bungy centre (13km).

Take a break and watch tourists take their jumps, before we continue cycling into the Gibbston Valley, high above the mighty Kawarau River, to a boutique winery where we enjoy a picnic vineyard platter lunch (11km).

Enjoy a wine tasting in this lovely setting. After lunch relax on the bus for the scenic drive following the Kawarau River to Clyde.

The afternoon cycle is a 14km ride beneath the willow trees, from Clyde to Alexandra, following the Clutha River. We transfer back to the delightful village of Clyde and our accommodation where you can have a walk around the historic precinct to appreciate the gold mining history of the township.

Day 3 - Roxburgh Gorge Trail and Clutha Gold Cycle Trail - 47km

This morning we travel a short distance to Alexandra where the Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail begins. The trail through the Roxburgh Gorge is just stunning and will take your breath away. A 10km cycle is followed by a scenic jet boat transfer from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek, followed by another 10km cycle to the Roxburgh Dam.

At the Roxburgh Dam we start the Clutha Gold cycle trail to Millers Flat (27km).
This section features orchards as well as gold mining relics which makes for a very pleasant scenic ride.

At Millers Flat we finish for the day, and then travel to our overnight accommodation at Lake Roxburgh.

Day 4 - Lake Roxburgh to Wanaka - 33km

Today we travel from Roxburgh to Luggate where we start the ride along the Clutha River Outlet Trail from Luggate all the way to Wanaka (33km).

For the balance of the afternoon relax and explore the laid back town of Wanaka where stay tonight.

Day 5 - Lake Hawea and the Hawea River
Trail - 40km

Today we travel by bus to a point almost halfway up Lake Hawea (Some say Lake Hawea is the most picturesque lake in the region). We then cycle back along the shores of Lake Hawea to the sleepy settlement of Lake Hawea village.

Here we join the picturesque Hawea River Trail which ambles its way all the way to Albert Town. An excellent relaxing ride alongside this crystal river to finish our first 5 days of riding around this world renowned outdoor paradise.

We transfer back to the delightful village of Clyde and our accommodation for the night

Day 6 Clyde to Lauder - 44km

The actual Rail Trail ride starts today. We leave Clyde, crossing the flat rural countryside until Chatto Creek..... where we stop for lunch. The trail then starts to rise before levelling off at Omakau, where we briefly leave the trail and take a short ride around the quaint township of Ophir.

In the afternoon we make a side trip in the bus to the historic gold-mining town of St Bathan’s, and walk around the beautiful Blue Lake...... with a mandatory stop at the Vulcan Hotel!

The highlights of today are the wooden trestle Muttontown Viaduct; the Old Tucker Hill gold diggings; views of the Dunstan Mountains and Raggedy Range; and (hopefully) sighting brown trout in the Manuherikia River.

At the end of the day we drive back to Lauder, for a relaxing drink at the pub before dinner.

Day 7 Lauder to Ranfurly - 35km

On the third day we cycle through two tunnels and over two rail bridges. Below us at the time are a willow tree edged gorge and welcoming river pools. We finally emerge into the scenic Idaburn valley, and then have a last easy climb up to the summit of the trail. We then enjoy the descent down to the art deco township of Ranfurly

The highlights of today include the engineering marvel of the Poolburn Gorge Viaduct and tunnels; the vast wide open Ida Valley (made famous by the artist Grahame Sydney); the Idaburn dam (known for its winter curling); and a trip to Hayes Engineering Works (Hayes invented the wire strainer, pulley block and cattle stop at the beginning of the 20th century); and visiting the town of Wedderburn.

We also drive to Naseby, which is a small forestry township, and play a game of curling (if you can imagine bowls on ice then you are on the right track....they have the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere). We continue on to the famous Kyeburn gold diggings and the historic Dansy’s Pass Inn......... where we dine and stay at the end of the day.

Day 8 Ranfurly to Hyde - 46km

We head off from the Dansey’s Pass Inn to the Real Dog Equipment Company, to see the famous Antarctic huskies and Alaskan malamutes in action...... before starting the ride for the day (which has some of the best riding of the trip). We follow the trail from Waipiata to the edge of an old lake, before entering the Taieri Gorge. The trail then crosses through further tunnels and bridges......... before a fast downhill to the end of todays cycling at Hyde.

The highlights of today’s cycle include crossing the vast Maniototo Plains; following the Taieri River as it snakes around the Rock and Pillar Range; crossing the stone bridge over Cap Burn; and experiencing the 32 metre high Price’s Creek Viaduct, and the 152 metre long tunnel.

Tonight we return to Ranfurly where we stay for the night.

Day 9 Hyde to Middlemarch - 27km (all downhill)

The highlight of the final day’s ride includes views of the Rock and Pillar and Taieri Ranges; the Hyde Railway Disaster memorial; and dropping down into the Strath Taieri Plain.

We end at Middlemarch – which is a small farming town that is well known for the Easter singles Ball. Girls travel there to meet eligible rugged young Southern Men who come down to the ball from their hill country stations.

In the afternoon we make our way back to Queenstown.

Alternatively you can catch a shuttle back to Clyde or Queenstown, or extend your holiday with a ride on the historic Taieri Gorge Railway (additional cost) and finish in Dunedin.

Accommodation:

Cycling

Hrs, KM

Book now for Next Season!

2018 / 2019

We can build a tour especially for your group, please enquire for dates available.

Bike Hire

Bike Hire: NZD$380
Electric Bike Hire NZD$900

Food

You will enjoy great local cuisine; continental breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, and either restaurant meals or wholesome home-cooked fare prepared by your host/hostess in the evenings. If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, we are happy to cater for these, please advise the office of details when you make your booking. Alcohol is not included in the tour cost, but is available for purchase.

Luggage

Tuatara Tours transports all your luggage for the duration of the tour.

All you carry is a small day pack with your personal gear, drink and lunch. We do the rest

An experienced guide

All transport

support vehicle for the duration of the tour

Exclusive to Tuatara Tours - Tour Kit Bag

To ensure you get the very best out of your journey with the least of fuss, we provide you with a bag full of useful goodies on the morning of your tour departure.

Contents may vary from time to time!

Access and Concession fees

paid to the Department of Conservation

Entrance fees

for Hayes Engineering, Curling and visit to the Real Dog Company

NZ Goods and Service Tax (GST)

Safety and Risk Management

To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders and fully qualified drivers. Tuatara Tours operate under a Safety and Risk Management Plan which is regularly audited and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.

Book now for Next Season!

2018 / 2019

We can build a tour especially for your group, please enquire for dates available.

Cycle Tours 7 to 10 Days

Bike The South

Queenstown Cycle Trail & Otago Rail Trail

People

Polynesians found their way to the plains and basins of the eastern and southern South Island, where the flightless moa were found.

Much of Otago was burnt in the moa hunts, and the forest was replaced by tussock.

Too cold to grow kumara (sweet potato), there was no horticulture.

Settlement was focused on the coast, where ocean fish, seabirds and seals were plentiful. People journeyed inland to harvest eels, forest birds such as weka and wood pigeons, and cabbage trees.

Maori also travelled to sources of highly-valued pounamu (greenstone) in the headwaters of rivers draining into Lakes Wakatipu and Wanaka, and on the South Island’s West Coast.

The discovery of gold brought a huge influx of Europeans and Chinese . The influx of Irish alongside Scots and English made the goldfields districts more Catholic and less Presbyterian than the rest of Otago.

Flora and Fauna

Flora: When humans first arrived in Otago, it was probably covered in forests of matai and totara.

Maori burnt much of the forest, which was unable to regenerate in the dry climate, and tussock took its place. Today tussock is most common on the heights. The lower-lying parts of Central Otago are planted in pasture with stands of orchard and shelter trees. These, particularly poplars, display dramatic colour changes in late autumn.

Beech forest grows on the Otago section of the Southern Alps, between 800 and 1,200 metres. Higher up this gives way to tussock, then subalpine plants, and then bare rock and snow.

Fauna: Otago today is known for its smaller animals, notably skinks. The rare Cromwell chafer beetle is found only in a small area near Cromwell.

There are also huge wetland areas where populations of water birds thrive.

Deer and pigs are present and are hunted recreationally.

Yellowhead

Buttercup

There's gold in them thar hills

Industry

Gold was the making of the area when discovered in 1861 however the gold was soon worked out and with the climate being so harsh the area was only sparsely settled by hardy farming stock.

Today gold is scarce with only the big mining companies able to extract it in any quantity.

Farming and tourism is the backbone of the area, but in recent years tourism has taken over with the huge growth of Queenstown turning into one of the premium outdoor recreation centres for the international adventure seekers.

Book now for Next Season!

2018 / 2019

We can build a tour especially for your group, please enquire for dates available.